Chapter 99:- I dunno why but I can't think of a suitable name, and also studying is such a pain

As the lively feeding continued, Sora let out an amused laugh, drawing everyone's attention. "It's funny," she remarked with a grin. "Just a day ago, I was doing this exact same thing—feeding Kenshin to make him feel welcome—and Kira here was sitting there annoyed, unable to stand even looking at him."

She glanced at her sister, a hint of fondness in her eyes. "Now, Kira's the one competing with someone else to feed Kenshin, and she's even made him her master. Funny how quickly people change."

Kira smiled softly, glancing at Kenshin as she replied, "In that place, I had the chance to see Kenshin as a person, not just a human. And...I wanted him as my master." There was a warmth in her words that carried the weight of her experiences. "He saved my life. How can I not want to stand by his side?"

While they continued eating, Kaede suddenly looked thoughtful, her gaze shifting to Aruna. "Aruna, does our contract with Kenshin give us any special abilities? Beyond simple summoning?"

Aruna looked up, a knowing smile crossing her face. "Yes, Kaede, there is something unique about the cat summoning contract. As Kenshin's summons, you and Kira now share a telepathic connection with him. This bond allows you to contact each other across any distance, no matter how far."

Kenshin's brows lifted in surprise, his hands pausing midair. "Telepathic connection?" He had never heard that summoning contracts could give additional abilities, at least not in this particular universe. But then again, a lot of things were different here.

"Not only that," Aruna continued, "but the bond also allows for possession of each other's bodies, with the permission of the one being possessed. That way, the summon or the master can use the body and ability of the other."

Kenshin felt both surprise and curiosity at this revelation. "I didn't know summoning contracts could grant such abilities. I thought they only allowed for summoning."

Aruna nodded, her gaze steady. "Most don't, Kenshin. The contract with the cats is unique because of our history and the nature of our tribe. We don't seek summoning contracts with humans because we don't need to.

But this bond goes beyond what you know. It ties master and summons in body, mind, and soul. Hence why I had never witnessed one being made."

Kenshin took this in, nodding thoughtfully. He glanced at Kira and Kaede, both giving him a genuine smile.

As dinner ended, Kenshin rose from his seat, nodding to everyone as he headed back to his room. Naoko followed him with her usual respectful demeanor, though as they entered his quarters, there was a faint trace of restlessness in her eyes.

Kenshin, noticing the slight shift in her expression, remembered her earlier curiosity about his experience in the pocket dimension and how Kaede had become his servant.

"Please, sit down," he offered, gesturing to a nearby chair.

Naoko paused, then knelt gracefully on the floor instead, folding her hands on her knees. Kenshin blinked, surprised. "Naoko, you don't have to sit like that," he said. "Please, take a chair."

Naoko's gaze lowered politely. "Thank you, but it would feel disrespectful," she replied. "You may have noticed, Kenshin-sama, that not a single servant in this mansion sits in the presence of yourself or any of the Nekomata family. We respect you, and doing something that we feel disrespectful towards you would go against everything we have been taught since birth."

Kenshin, however, was firm. "I'd really prefer it if you were comfortable. You've done so much already—humor me, if nothing else."

Naoko hesitated, clearly torn, but finally gave in to his insistence. Rising slowly, she took the chair across from him, her cheeks faintly flushed. It was evident that the simple act of sitting in his presence made her feel deeply uncomfortable, almost out of place.

Kenshin smiled gently. "Thank you. And...when it's just us, I'd actually prefer if you treated me casually." His tone was warm, and he hoped to put her at ease.

Naoko's eyes widened, her calm composure shaken by his suggestion. "Casually, sir?" she echoed, trying to process his words.

Kenshin noticed her discomfort and quickly softened his approach. "It's all right if that's too much. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Naoko let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Kenshin-sama, I appreciate the kindness, truly. But treating a guest—even one as generous as yourself—casually is...unthinkable for me." Her words were sincere, almost reverent, and her posture softened as she relaxed a little.

Kenshin chuckled lightly, accepting her resolve. "Understood, Naoko. I won't push further," he said, though he couldn't help but feel a new level of respect for her steadfast commitment.

Kenshin paused, looking thoughtfully at Naoko. He could recount his time in the pocket dimension, but an idea struck him.

His left Mangekyo Sharingan's mind-reading ability involved a mindscape where he entered the target's mind, represented by a single computer. If his mind could access another's memories, it might also work in reverse—he could transfer his own memories to her.

"Naoko, would you mind if I tried something else to explain?" he asked gently. "It would allow you to see what happened more clearly, but only if you're comfortable. But I'll have to enter your mind."

Naoko tilted her head curiously, but nodded with her usual poise. "As long as you don't delve into anything...too personal, Kenshin-sama. I suppose it is fine."

Kenshin gave her a reassuring smile, then activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, causing Naoko's eyes to widen in astonishment. He focused, entering her mindscape through his left eye's power.

To his surprise, upon entering, he found himself standing in a starkly blank space with Naoko beside him, looking around in confusion. Kenshin blinked, surprised by her presence here. He realized she wasn't merely a spectator, but conscious within this mindscape.

He remembered that the few other times he'd used this power, it was either on an unconscious target, like Danzo, or during his battle with Kaede, who had actively interacted with him.

Perhaps when the target consented, or had a strong will, they could retain control within their mindscape.

Making a mental note to practice this ability further, Kenshin turned to Naoko and said, "It's alright. Just stay calm. This is a human device and a representation of my subconscious." He closed his eyes, concentrating on manifesting his own mind—a second computer appeared beside Naoko's, which she watched in awe.

Kenshin began compiling his memories, editing out unimportant details and creating a sequence of events. Naoko stood by, her composed expression replaced by one of sheer bewilderment as she observed him working on the strange machine.

To her, this mindscape and the appearance of computers felt almost magical.

When he finished, Kenshin transferred the memories to her. As the compilation flowed into her mind, Naoko gasped as vivid images and emotions flooded her awareness: the terrifying drop from thousands of feet, Kenshin's body breaking upon impact, his desperate use of his right eye to heal himself and revive Kira, his sleepless watch over her, Kira's ungratefulness and eventual regret.

When she watched Kaede's ruthless attack and gouging out of Kira's eye—Naoko's breath hitched, a tear slipping down her cheek as Kira's pained scream echoed in her mind.

She watched, gripped with horror and awe, as Kenshin battled Kaede with his newly completed Wind Chakra Mode, enduring Kaede's overwhelming strength with an unyielding resolve, even after Aruna herself had struggled against Kaede.

Naoko's eyes widened as she felt the raw power Kenshin had summoned from his very core to stand his ground, even as Kaede reacted with excitement, treating him as a true opponent.

She felt Kenshin's pain, his exhaustion, his fierce desire to protect—even suggesting Kira use Kotoamatsukami, which finally led Kaede to become his servant.

Naoko saw the days they spent afterward with Kaede in the pocket dimension, which had passed like mere minutes outside, and finally, Kenshin establishing the summoning contract with both Kira and Kaede.

As the memory concluded, Naoko collapsed onto her knees in the mindscape, overwhelmed by what she had just experienced.

When Kenshin withdrew from her mind, they returned to reality, and Naoko sank to the floor, wide-eyed and silent, tears shimmering in her gaze as she looked up at him.

She couldn't find the words to speak. Everything she'd seen—the pain, the fierce battles, Kenshin's steadfast heart—it was beyond anything she'd expected.

And in the end, despite all that Kaede had put him through, Kenshin had welcomed her as his servant, and with the summoning contract, as part of his family.

In that moment, Naoko's respect for Kenshin solidified into something far deeper. Her eyes glistened with admiration, but also with an understanding of the kindness and resilience that lay at Kenshin's core.

Kenshin reached out a hand, helping her to her feet with a gentle, understanding look. Naoko only managed a whisper, her voice thick with emotion, "Thank you... Kenshin-sama."

Naoko stood frozen for a moment, her hands clenched in her lap as she tried to hold back the overwhelming surge of emotions. But after a few seconds, she could no longer contain herself.

Her breath hitched as tears began to fall, her eyes brimming with gratitude, sadness, and respect for Kenshin. She had witnessed it all—the pain, the sacrifice, the burden he carried, and the pure heart that never wavered in its desire to protect those around him.

She had seen his memories as if they were her own, and words felt insufficient to describe the profound impact they had on her.

Kenshin remained silent, his gaze soft as he allowed her this moment. "It's okay, Naoko," he murmured gently. "You don't need to hold it in."

Naoko's tears continued to flow for a few minutes, each drop carrying a weight of emotion she had never felt before. Finally, she composed herself, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

With a slight sniffle, she stood up and straightened her uniform, her demeanor returning to its usual respectful poise, though there was a soft tremor in her voice.

"Please excuse me, Kenshin-sama," she said quietly, her tone still filled with the weight of what she had just experienced. "I must take my leave. Good night."

Kenshin nodded, his expression a mix of understanding and quiet respect. "Good night, Naoko."

As Naoko left the room, Kenshin lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling in thought. He had learned a lot about the Nekomata family, their servants, and how deeply bound they were to one another.

The bond they shared went beyond simple duty—it was something far more intimate and profound. For them, loyalty wasn't just a choice, it was part of their soul.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage building in the Hidden Leaf Village, in Tsunade's quarters, she was sitting cross-legged on her bed, Tonton curled up on her lap as Shizune sat beside her.

The room was dimly lit, a quiet, peaceful atmosphere enveloping them, but the tranquility was soon broken by the appearance of Katsuyu.

The slug greeted them with a soft, respectful tone. "Tsunade-sama, I bring you news from Shikkotsu Forest."

Tsunade, dressed in a loose nightgown, looked up from her thoughts, her gaze focused as she listened intently. "Go ahead, Katsuyu," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of curiosity.

Katsuyu continued, her voice calm but serious. "Kenshin ventured beyond the safe zones of the Shikkotsu Forest, to an area where the nature energy is far denser. He encountered one of the cat tribe, spent time with them, and recently made two of them his summons."

Tsunade blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing slightly. "He left the safe zones?" She hadn't expected Kenshin to go beyond the areas that were marked off as safe for humans.

She had never dared venture past those boundaries, and the thought of Kenshin being able to navigate such treacherous terrain was both unsettling and impressive.

Shizune shifted slightly, concern evident on her face. "But... the nature energy out there is overwhelming. Even Tsunade-sama had never been able to step foot beyond the safe zones."

Katsuyu gave a subtle nod. "Indeed, it is. But Kenshin seems to have adapted, or perhaps due to his bloodline. Regardless, it is my belief that he has overcome his trauma."

Tsunade's eyes softened as she processed this information. "You believe he's ready to return to the village, then?" she asked, her voice quieter now, tinged with a hint of both relief and concern.

Katsuyu's tone was firm yet respectful. "Yes, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade's gaze shifted to the floor for a moment as she contemplated Katsuyu's words. She had been concerned about Kenshin's state ever since he left, but this news gave her hope.

He had grown in ways she hadn't anticipated, and perhaps it was time for him to return.

"Thank you, Katsuyu," Tsunade said softly. "We'll bring him back tomorrow then, if he wishes to."

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